Diana Hurtado

The Sound of Life Restored

At just 30 years old, Diana Hurtado never imagined she would suffer a stroke.

In August 2025, she experienced minor pain on the right side of her head while driving for Uber—something she brushed off as stress, fatigue or even a dental issue.

But everything changed in an instant. Diana suddenly lost all sensation in her left arm.

Still, she tried to rationalize it, blaming exhaustion or her prior injuries. She parked at a nearby store to rest, hoping the feeling would pass. But within minutes her condition worsened. She called her chiropractor, who attributed the tingling and numbness to a herniated disc she had been treating and advised her to go home and rest.

But soon her headache became unbearable, the left side of her face began to droop and her speech became slurred. That’s when she looked up her symptoms online and saw a message that likely saved her life: you are having a stroke; call 911.

“At that point I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore,” said Diana. “I actually had to use Siri to make the call.”

By the time Diana arrived at the emergency room at Broward Health North, her condition had rapidly declined. After undergoing a CT scan, she became nauseous, vomited and lost consciousness. Ridwan Lin, M.D., an interventional neurologist with the Broward Health Physician Group, soon delivered a shocking diagnosis, a hemorrhagic stroke.

Further testing revealed the underlying cause: a genetic mutation called Factor V Leiden, which increases the risk of blood clots and was worsened by Diana’s hormonal birth control use and low iron.

Her condition quickly became critical. She experienced seizures and required emergency brain surgery, a craniectomy, performed by Shaye Moskowitz, M.D., a neurosurgeon with the Broward Health Physician Group, which removed a part of her skull to relieve severe brain swelling.

When she woke up, Diana was paralyzed on the left side of her body. She had to relearn everything—how to eat, how to get dressed, how to take care of herself.

“I couldn’t believe it, but my faith and family got me through some of the most difficult days I’ve ever experienced,” said Diana.

Through neurological care and intensive in-patient therapy, she slowly began to regain movement and independence. Electrical stimulation helped restore sensation in her face, allowing her to progress from pureed foods back to normal meals. Occupational therapy helped her rebuild key skills, like walking and moving her arms, which many take for granted.

“Diana’s outcome highlights the importance of recognizing symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Moskowitz. “The speed at which she received care played a critical role in saving her life and giving her the chance to recover.”

After a month and a half in the hospital and a lot of work, Diana walked out using a hemi walker, an amazing achievement for the severity of her case.

In February 2026, Dr. Moskowitz replaced the missing piece of her skull. A passionate traveler, Diana wasted no time. Soon after the procedure, she took a long-awaited trip to Costa Rica with her husband, embracing the life she fought so hard to regain.

“Diana’s strength shone through in her physical recovery, of course, but the mental toll of an incident like this can break people,” said Dr. Moskowitz. “Her positive outlook on life has never wavered.”

Today, while she continues her recovery, Diana is focused on what matters most—living fully and helping others recognize the warning signs she almost missed. Looking ahead, her motivation is deeply personal, healing not just for herself, but for the family she dreams of having.

“I want to have a son or daughter someday,” she said. “My drive for getting better is being able to hold my future child.”

To learn more about Broward Health’s comprehensive stroke care, visit BrowardHealth.org/Stroke.